The Totally Made-up Civil War Diary of Amanda MacLeish
by Claudia Mills
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of The Totally Made-up Civil War Diary of Amanda MacLeish.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
Where's the love? Add this book to your favorite list.
other reviews (showing 1-16 of 16)
Read in January, 2008
Lately I've been wishing for 3.5 stars often and that's where I'd really place this one. Anyway, Amanda MacLeish is the best writer in her class and that is about the only thing that seems to be helping her get through the sudden separation of her parents. Seeing as how her Dad has a girlfriend, her Mother is just angry, her older sister is hot and cold, and her best friend seems to have a new best friend - at least that's how it all looks to Amanda.
I liked that this book had a story w...more
I liked that this book had a story w...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Mills's characters are very genuine and the pain that the main character feels at the separation of her parents is very real and resonates off the page. Her confusion about this new phase in the life of her family is also apparent, especially her reluctance to share this information with her best friend and the rift this causes in their friendship (as well as her growing annoyance with their "perfect" family that she has so wished for and found comfort in. The civil war aspect is a b...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2008
Amanda is in 5th grade and they have an assignment where they are each given a Civil War character and they must create a diary of the character. Amanda's family life is falling apart. She knows her parents fight, but she is shocked when her dad moves out, which she thinks is all her mom's fault. Her older sister is grumpy and always fighting with her mom. Her best friend is also ignoring her and has perhaps found a new best friend. Amanda's Civil War character Polly, while in a different t...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2008
recommended to Jamie by:
Capitol Choices
Claudia Mills does such an amazing job with dialog! The opening scene of the Monopoly game is so strong in setting the tone. I also like that the divorce/marriage problems were respectfully done, as were race relations issues in the school project. The interplay between the "reala life" and the Civil War diary was very clever and successful. What a pleasant surprise!!
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
How come every story line I have read lately has a family breaking up? I would have loved more story with the diaries the kids wrote. Although I feel the diary writing was too advanced for 5th graders. I would have loved having more of the story about the Civil War and the effect it had on the students.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
I liked the historical and writing aspect of this book but like others I will agree that too many children's books nowadays focus on the 3 D's (divorce, death and depression.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
